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Former Tottenham Hotspur and Switzerland defender Ramon Vega announced Wednesday that he will challenge FIFA President Gianni Infantino in the 2027 election, becoming the first candidate to publicly declare his intention to run against the incumbent.
The 55-year-old former footballer called for sweeping reforms at FIFA, football's global governing body, accusing its current leadership of undermining the organization's credibility and losing the trust of the international football community.
"I am standing to reunite the global football family, deliver genuine and lasting reform, modernise FIFA for the 21st Century, restore stability and credibility, and rebuild the trust that our game urgently needs," Vega said in a statement.
Vega argued that football should serve everyone involved in the sport, rather than the officials and institutions overseeing it, and called for fundamental changes to FIFA's governance.
"Football does not belong to presidents, confederations or administrators. Football is greater than any position, any individual or any institution," he said.
He also criticized the current administration for what he described as weak governance and declining confidence in FIFA.
"Football is in the emergency room, on life support. We cannot wait any longer. FIFA needs a new direction and fundamental reform," Vega said.
His announcement comes as Infantino faces calls to resign following the collapse of a controversial proposal to sell private investors a stake in commercial and ticketing rights associated with FIFA competitions.
Vega previously considered entering the FIFA presidential race in 2015, when he told the BBC that he was weighing up a possible candidacy.
He later announced plans to challenge Infantino in 2019 but failed to secure the support of five FIFA member associations, the national football governing bodies whose backing was required to qualify for the election.
Candidates hoping to challenge Infantino in 2027 have until Nov. 18, 2026, to declare their intention to run.
Vega, who made 23 appearances for Switzerland's national team, played for Tottenham, Celtic and Watford before retiring in 2004 and moving into finance.
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